Ghost of Yotei & inFAMOUS Studio Sucker Punch Parts Ways With Co-Founder Brian Fleming
Apparently, the decision to leave was made by Fleming himself, not by Sucker Punch or Sony.
Sony Interactive Entertainment has issued an official statement announcing that Brian Fleming, the Co-Founder and Producer at Sucker Punch, will be departing the company, bringing his 28-year tenure at the studio to an end.
Sucker Punch
Having served as Sucker Punch's Studio Head since its inception, Fleming oversaw the release of every title in the studio's history, including the Sly Cooper series, the inFAMOUS franchise, Ghost of Tsushima, and, most recently, Ghost of Yotei.
Replacing him as the new Studio Heads – yes, plural – are Jason Connell, who served as Co-Creative Director on the Ghost franchise, and Adrian Bentley, the Technical Director. The leadership handover is set to take place on January 1, 2026, with Fleming remaining at Sucker Punch through April to assist with the transition and support the studio's new leaders.
"Brian's vision and leadership have shaped the studio's culture of creativity and collaboration and established a foundation that Jason, Adrian, and the entire team will build on as they look to the future," Sony comments. "As Sucker Punch moves forward under Jason and Adrian's leadership, the team remains dedicated to crafting new adventures that capture the imagination of players everywhere."
As for the reasons behind Fleming's forthcoming departure, while some were quick to proclaim that he was ousted by Sony because of Ghost of Yotei's alleged financial underperformance, Fleming himself says he left entirely of his own volition, stating that it was he who "decided it's time to shake up the snow-globe."
I leave Sucker Punch in the capable hands of the strongest leadership team we've ever had – Adrian and Jason will do an amazing job as Studio Heads," wrote Fleming in his LinkedIn post. "And the rest of the directors – Nate, Joanna, Billy, Gail, Parker, Sonia, Rob, etc. They are all so capable and so READY for new challenges that I have nothing but confidence the studio will continue to flourish."
Going forward, the Sucker Punch Co-Founder plans to pursue new opportunities, with interests spanning tech, the game industry, entertainment, and "advocacy/politics stuff."
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